With more than 11,000 monthly searches for "autumn in Japan", the country's legendary fall colours draw millions annually - and the best way to see them is by train. 

Intro
Our Top Five Train Journeys for Autumn in Japan
Japan’s Most Stunning Autumn Rail Journeys, Revealed
Bonus Recommendations

Intro

During Autumn in Japan, the country’s most popular viewing spots can become overwhelmed with crowds. Thankfully, Japan’s world-renowned rail network offers an entirely different perspective - gliding through tunnels of crimson maples and valleys painted in gold at a contemplative pace, which begs the question: Which journeys in Japan offer the most breathtaking autumn journeys? Eager to find out and provide our customers with the answer, our expert team at JR Pass.com has analysed the country's most scenic train routes, using factors including Instagram hashtags, reviews, and crucial seasonal weather data, to reveal Japan's most spectacular autumn rail experiences with the best viewing conditions.

Our Top Five Train Journeys for Autumn in Japan

To discover the best autumn trains in Japan, our experts first compiled a list of autumn train journeys in Japan featuring mentions of stunning foliage and scenic railroads, using sources such as Lonely Planet, CN Traveller, and Marvellous Escapes. Next, to get an understanding of how pleasurable each journey is, they analysed each train on Tripadvisor, noting its review score. Then, to determine which journeys are most likely to have the ideal crisp autumn weather, data on the average % of sunny and rainy days was collated from Climate Japan for the associated prefecture for each journey, combining averages for routes covering longer distances. Intrigued by tourists taking to Instagram to post about their trips, JR Pass noted the number of hashtags each train journey had. To round off the final factor, they utilised Ahrefs to determine the average global monthly search volumes each journey received. The data was then weighted to create a final index score. The list is below.

Japan’s Most Stunning Autumn Rail Journeys, Revealed

1. Oigawa Railway, Shizuoka 

Claiming the top spot is the Oigawa Railway in Shizuoka Prefecture, a nostalgic steam train journey with an impressive 4.6/5 TripAdvisor rating and over 17,900 Instagram posts showcasing its scenic beauty. This heritage railway winds through the Oi River valley, where tea plantations meet forests ablaze with autumn colours. With sunny skies for nearly half the autumn season on average (43.9%) and minimal rainfall (14.8%), the authentic steam locomotives provide reliable conditions for capturing the traditional countryside painted in autumn hues.

2. Sagano Romantic Train, Kyoto

Kyoto's famous Sagano Romantic Train secures second place, drawing massive global interest with over 30,750 monthly searches and 10,200 Instagram posts. This journey through Arashiyama bamboo groves transforms into a tunnel of golden foliage each autumn. With sunny conditions for almost half the season on average (45.6%) and low rainfall (13%), the open-air carriages offer excellent conditions for photographing the surrounding mountains in autumn's finest palette.

3. Tadami Line, Fukushima & Niigata 

The Tadami Line earns third place with a 4.6/5 TripAdvisor rating and 12,300 Instagram posts capturing its remote beauty. This mountain line offers authentic wilderness where ancient beech forests create spectacular autumn corridors. Despite more variable weather with rain on nearly a fifth of autumn days (18%), sunny conditions for over a third of the season (39.4%) still provide ample opportunities to capture the dramatic scenery and pristine lakes.

4. Keihan Railway, Kyoto & Osaka 

The Keihan Main Line takes fourth place, one of the more urban routes with 7,446 Instagram posts documenting its landscapes. With excellent weather conditions, featuring sunny skies for nearly half of the Autumn period (46%) and minimal rainfall (12.7%), this line offers highly reliable viewing of famous temple gardens and traditional neighbourhoods bursting with seasonal colour. Its location provides dependable access to multiple autumn hotspots, from Fushimi to the historic temples of eastern Kyoto.

5. Eizan Railway, Kyoto

Rounding out the top five is North Kyoto's charming Eizan Railway, with 2,572 Instagram tags capturing its beauty. The route is particularly famous for its "Mojimi tunnel", which leaves Tokyo, where maple trees create an enchanting tunnel of fiery colours, often illuminated during the peak season for evening viewing. With sunny skies for almost half the season on average (45.6%) and low rainfall (13%), this intimate local line offers consistently pleasant conditions amongst Japanese maples.

Bonus Recommendations

• Autumn is the perfect time to go hiking, climbing, and walking in Japan. These activities are very popular in Japan and autumn is the best time of year to do it. Read our Quick Guide to Hiking in Japan to get started.
• Naturally, the pleasant autumn weather also makes it the ideal time for other outdoor activities such as cycling, watersports, and getting up close and personal (safely of course) with Japan’s wildlife.
• Our Meet and Greet Service is ideal if you would appreciate a helping hand on your arrival in Japan. One of our Japanese travel specialists will meet you in person at the airport, activate your JR Pass, help you reserve train tickets, and book anything else you may want to do upon arriving in Japan. It’s like having a personal assistant to look after you on arrival.
• Similarly, investing in a PocketWifi device means you can stay connected to family and friends online, check directions, language tips, and more, without worrying about running out of data. Our PocketWifi offers unlimited data, supports up to five devices, and they are easy to pick up on arrival and drop off at the end of your trip.